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Hingham Police Department News

Teens Taken to Hospital after Eating Marijuana Candy

Hingham, MA – Two teens were transported to the hospital after they called 9-1-1 for help after consuming food laced with drugs. The teens claimed they had eaten candy with marijuana.

On July 21, 2016 an 18 year old Hingham teen called 9-1-1 from a house to request help for a 17 year old teen who was possibly having “an allergic reaction to food”. When questioned by the dispatcher, he said it was a reaction to marijuana laced candy they had consumed. Officers arrived and found the two teens, a male and female, visibly under the influence. While both appeared to be impaired, they were conscious and able to speak. The teens, who were alone, were transported to the hospital by ambulance.

The teens gave Officers an empty package of what they had allegedly consumed. The foil package was labeled “Conscious Creations” which appears to be a supplier of medical marijuana.

We share this information to highlight two important points and stimulate discussion for parents and others.

First, it is important that the teens called for medical help without hesitation. Under Massachusetts law, when someone calls in good faith for medical help or receives medical assistance due to a possible overdose, the police CANNOT charge those present with possession of any controlled substances. This is to encourage others to call for help for those who need it to help save lives (see MGL 94C Section 34A (a) (b).

Second, please aware and have a discussion with others (especially teens) about consuming candy or food laced with what may be a drug or medical marijuana. This is especially true for items purchased online or second hand that may have no or very limited quality controls. This particular package had no ingredient or content label. In short, you don’t know what you’re eating.

The following is a link with more information from the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/substance-abuse/make-the-right-call-public-information-campaign.html P.I.O. Sgt. Steven Dearth ###